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Saturday, December 20, 2008

Today’s feature at the Fair Grounds, featuring an All-Stakes 50-Cent Pick Five, is the Woodchopper for three-year-olds going a mile on turf. It marks te return of Preakness runnerup and Jim Dandy winner Macho Again (3-1). However, it will be his first start on turf. If he likes it, he’ll outclass this group easily. And Dallas Stewart is profitable off a layup and first-time turf. But the price will reflect all this.

The fastest horse on performance figures is Myboycharlie (5-2), a winner of half his eight starts, all on turf, and his last was on this course, at this distance. Jamie Theriot will ride him back for Cody Autrey, who’s currently at 35 percent for the meet. While he won his last on the pace, he won from off the pace in his native Ireland. The only knock, aside from the expected short price, is that he’s coming back on 14 days rest, a little quick.

Jimmy Simms (7-2) is slower but is developing beautifully for Steve Asmussen. Coming off an Equiform turf decline line (TDL), he poised to moved forward, is nicely drawn inside and gave way grudgingly after a stretch lone battle in the Grade 3 Commonwealth. He’s worked thrice since and stable rider Shaun Bridgmohan rides him back. Given the stiffness of the competition, you’d like to receive early line odds, which seems unlikely.

Taking Jimmy Simms to win at 7-2 or greater and keying him first and second in exactas and trifectas with his two rivals here.